Electric switch



C. J. KLEIN.Y

ELECTRIC SWITCH.'

` APPLlCATlON FILED FEB. 14, 19|?. 1,431,235.

Patented Oct. l0, 1922.

Patented Oct. 10, 1922.

UNITED STATES 1,431,235 PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES J'. KLEIN', 0F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO THE CUTLER-HAMMER MFG. CO., OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Application led February 14, 1917; Serial No. 148,529.

T0 all 'wl/om t may conc-ern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES J. KLEIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, `in the Vcounty of Milwaukeev and State of Wisconsimhave invented new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had Ato the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

This invention relates to electricswitches and is particularly applicable to those of the so-called flush type. v j i One ofthe objects of the invention. is to provide an eflicient and .reliable switch mechanism .whichmay be enclosed in a relatively small receptacle for flush mounting.

A further object yof the invention is to provide a switch mechanism of the character stated enabling arrangement of the operated contactor for movement in a plane perpendicular to the plane of movement of its push buttons thercbyproviding for a wide range of play of the contact relative to. its co-operating contacts. i j .j `A yfurther object is to provide suc'h a switch mechanism with means to positively restrain operation of the movable contact pending the storage of suthcient energy in its operating means to insure an adequate snap action. j

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear. j v

Inthe accompanying drawing, wherein is illustrated an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the switch; 'l

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. .1; l Fig. 3 is a plan view of the interior of the switch from beneath; j l

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view'of the switch mechanism substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 9; j i

Fig. 5 is a similar View showingtheparts in an altered position; and, j

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view substantially on line 6 6 of Fig. 2, showing the co-operation of certain elements.

Referring to the drawing, the switch illustrated comprises, in general, an oscillatory contactor 1,*an operating member2 and attached push buttons 3, 4l for actuatlng said contacter through the intermediacy of an energy `storingspring 5, a frame .6 and a recessed insulating base 7 adapted for flush mounting.

The movable switch elements are carried by the framey 6 which comprises a metallic strip reflexed to form parallel portions 8, 9 lconnected by a transverse portion 10` and having an upstanding portion 11.

`The contactor 1 is mounted for oscillation upon the outer yparallel portion 9 of the `frame by means of a stud 1-2 said contacter comprising a hub l13, an offset laterallyextending actuating lug 14, a limiting lug 15 projecting from the opposite side of the hub,

and an upstanding restraining lug 16 located ubstantially midway between the aforesaid ugs.v ,j

The movablecontacts of the switch include'a pair of contact bars 17, 18 mounted in parallel relation for joint actuation by the contactorL Each ofthe contact bars is provided with a centrallylocated enlarged hub portion 19 and has its extremities bent to form a pair of resilient integral contacts 20, 2.1, Each hub Vportion 19` `is bored Afor mounting upon theY stud 12and`is further provided with a peripherally `located notch 22to receive the offset contacter lug 14 and with a slot 23 to circumenga'gethe upstanding contacter lug 16, `whereby upon assembly of the aforesaid parts, both contact bars are constrained to move with thecontactor 1. The corresponding contacts 20 and 21 of the two bars Iare furthermore arranged in opposed relation to respectively engage a pair of fixed Acontacts 24, k25 upon both faces of the latter, for bridging thel same in one position of the contacten In practice, the contactbars 17, 18 are-preferably formed from a single blank, folded double at 26, while obviously the same may-.befconstructed integral with the contactorl, ifdesired.

f A pair of stop membersl 27, 28 are struck up from the metal of the lower portion 9 of the frame to be alternately engaged by the lug 15 of thecontactor to limit movement of the latter in either direction.

The operating member 2 comprises a hub 29. a pair of`oppositely extending arms 30. 31, la cam member 32 projecting in the plane of sa'd arm and substantially at right angles thereto and an outwardly projecting lug 33 extending at'right angles to the plane of the afore-described members. Said operating member is pivoted'upon an elongated stud 34 fixed within the upstanding portion 11 of the frame 6 whereby said operating member is adapted to oscillate in a plane parallel to such upstanding portion and at right angles to the plane of the contacts. rlhe h`el`cal spring 5 is coiled about the stud 34 and provided with parallel projecting portions 35, 36 extending one` on either side of the lug` 33 ol the operating member and also similarly engaging the two sides of the actuating lug 14 of the contactor, said lug being enlarged toward its free end to insure retention or' said spr`ng extensions thereon. The path of movement of the cam member 32 intercepts that of the contactor restraining lug 16 to control the movement thereof as hereinafter described.

The push buttons 3, 4 are secured to the respective lateral extensions 30, 31 of the operating member 2 by means of lost motion connections including pins 37, 38 xed in the latter and extending respectively through a pair of transverse slots 39, 40 in extensions 41, 42 of said push buttons and headed therebeyond. Said extensions are formed with straight sides 43, 44 adapted to abut and wipe the corresponding edges of the upstanding frame portion 11, thus tending to guide the push buttons during reciprocation thereof. Each of said push buttons is further cut away, as at 45, in Fig. 1, to prevent interference by the contacting member when the push button is depressed.

The base 7 is rectangular in shape and provided with a chamber 46 to receive and house the switch mechanism, and is further provided with a shoulder 47 to receive the frame 6 and with suitable openings 48, 49 in its front or upper :tace through which extend the push buttons 3, 4. Attachment lugs 50, 51 are inset within the front face of the base 7 and extend therebeyond, being secured thereto by means of screws 52, while a suitable face plate 53 having push button openings 54, 55 is secured to said base by means of screws 56 entering said attachment lugs. The switch fixed contacts 24, 25 are anchored within the base 7 and are provided with suitable conductor terminals 57, 58. The frame 6 is secured upon the shoulder 47 within the base by means of a screw 59 whereby the switch mechanism is retained in suitable operative position. A closure plate 60 preferably of insulating material, is inset within the bottom of the base 7 and secured therein by the screws 52.

The operation of the above describedswitch is as follows: Upon pressure being appl'ed to either of the push buttons the-operating member is swung upon its pivot, causing the lug 33 to move one of the spring extensions 35, 36 in a direction to tension the spring, the opposite spring extension being held against movement by its engagement with the lug 14 of the contactor. The contactor Atself is retained against movement by the engagement of the upstanding lug 16 against the cam member 32, thus insuring storing of energy in the spring 5 until the operating cam 32 has beenmoved sufficiently to release the contactor lug 16, whereupon the contactor and its attached contacts are moved with a snap action due to the stored energy of the spring `5 to contact making or breaking position, the movement -o'f said contactor being arrested by engagement of the lug 15 against one of the stops 27, 28.

The shape of the cam 32 is such as to insure retention of the contactor during energy storing movement ot the operating member in either direction and release ot said contactor just prior to the termination of movement of the former, while the stops 27 28 are so located as to insure stopping of the contactor in suitable positions for making and breaking circuit respectively What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination in an electric switch, of a contactor movable in a plane and having contacts to engage and bridge suitable ixed contacts, an operating member :tor said contactor movable in a plane at right angles to the plane of movement of the latter, an energy storing connection between said contactor and said operating member, said contactor and said operating member having parts co-operating to insure storing of energy in said connection and subsequentl snap movement of said contactor.

2. In an electric switch, in combination, a movable contactor, an operating member movable at right angles to the direction of movement of said contactor, an energy storing connection therebetween, a lug on said contactor, a cam carried by said operating member for co-operating with said lug to restrain said contactor against movement during storing of energy in said connection and to thereafter release said contactor for snap movement thereof in either direction, and means limiting the; movement of said contactor.

3. The combination in an electric switch, of a supporting frame, a contactor and contacts arranged for snap movement, an operating member for said contactor mounted upon said frame, a push button having an extension attached to said operating member, said extension having an exterior portion to co-operate with an exterior portion of said frame for guiding said push` button during movement thereof.

4. In an electric switch, in combination, an oscillatable contactor, an operating member, movable in a plane at right angles to the plane of oscillation of said contactor, an energy storing connection between said contactor and said operating member, a lug on said contactor, a cam carried by said operating member for co-operating with said lug to restrain said contactor against movement `during storing of energy in said connection andto thereafter releas'e'said contactor for snap movement thereof.`

5. In an electricv switch, inv combination, an' oscillatable contacter, an operating member movable in'a plane at right angles to the plane f-oscillationof. said contactor, `an energy storing spring associated with` said operating member, -a lug on said, operating 'memben a lug on'said contacting member contiguous to said firstmentioned lug, said spring having portions `extending on either side of said lugs whereby movement of said operating member [tends to -produce movement of said contactorgand means for restraining said contacter subject to release by movement of said operating member.

"6. The combination in van electric switch, of a supporting frame having portionsextending at right angles tol each other, contactor and contacts mounted for snap movement upon one portion of said frame, an operating member for said contactor mounted upon the other portion of said frame, a pair of push buttons having extensions attached to said operating member, the edges of said extensions engaging the adjacent edges of said frame for guiding said push buttons during movement thereof.

7. In an electric switch, in combination, a recessed insulating base having an interiorly located shoulder, a switch frame having parallel portions and an upstanding portion, a self-contained switch mechanism carried by said frame one of said parallel portions of said frame being adapted to abut said shoulder with said upstanding portion extending beyond the latter and releasable means for securing said parallel pory tion to said shoulder while permitting uni.

tary removal of said frame and switch mechanism from the recess of said base.

8. In an electric switch, in combination, a recessed insulating base having push button openings extending therethrough, a retaining` shoulder within the recessed portion of said base, a frame having parallel portions and an upstanding portion to be secured within the recessed portion of said base, and a. push button switch mechanism carried by said frame and insertable within said base with its push buttons projecting through the openings therein, and releasable means for securing a parallel portion of said frame upon said shoulder.

9. In an electric switch, in combination, a

' recessed insulating base having push button openings therein, a retaining shoulder located interiorly of said base, a supporting ira-me having an upstanding portion and parallel portions certain of the latter being adapted to cooperate with said shoulder, a push button snap switch mechanism mounted upon said frame and inseitable therewith within said base with its push buttons projecting `through said openings, releasable means for Vtactor mounted upon a parallel portion or' lsaid frame, an operating member mounted upon said upstanding portion of said frame, an energy storing connection between said contacter and said operating member and means on said operating member and said contactor for restraining the latter during storing of energy in said connection and thereafter releasing said contactor for snap movement 4in either direction and releasable means co-operating with a parallel portion of said frame for securing the same in position upon said shoulder.

1l. In an electric switch, in combination, a sup-porting frame having parts extending at right angles to each other, an oscillatable operating member mounted upon one portion of said frame, an oscillatable contactor mounted upon the other portion, an energy storing connection between said operating member and said contactor, a lug on said contacter, a cam on said operating member for engaging said lug to restrain said contactor during storing of energy in said connection and thereafter release the same for snap movement, a second lug on said contactor and a stop on said frame to be engaged by said lug for determining the final position of said contactor.

12. In an electric switch, in combination, a rigid supporting frame, an operating member and a contacter mounted on said frame for oscillation upon axes at right angles to each other, an energy storing connection for said operating member and said contactor, a cam non said operating member cooperating witha suitable lug on said contactor during movement of said operating member in either direction to prevent movement of said contactor during the storing of energy in said connection and to thereafter release said contactor for corresponding snap movement thereof in either direction.

13. In an electric switch, in combination, a rigid supporting frame, an operating member and a contacter mounted on said frame for oscillation about axes at right angles to each other, an energy storing connection for said operating member and said contacter, a cam on said operating member co-operating with a suitable lug on said con.- tactor during movement of said operating member in either direction tov prevent movey ment of said contactor during the storing of iso energy in said connection and to thereafter release said contacter for corresponding snap movement thereof, an additional lng on Said contactor, a pair of stops on said frame to be alternately engaged by said last mentioned lug for limiting movement of said contacter in either direction.

14. ln an electric switch, in combination, a frame, a cont-actor and an operating member mounted on said frame for oscillation about axes at right angles to each other, energy storing means in the connection between Said contactor and said operating member, said contacter comprising a centrally bored hub, a lng extending laterally therefrom for engagement by an extension of said energy storing means, an oppositely extending lng for engagement with suitable limiting means, and an npstanding lng to be releasably engaged by. a portion ot' said operating member to restrain movement of said contactor, and electrical contact-s carried by said contactor.

l5. In an electric switch, in combination, aI movable switch contactor a relatively movable operating member 'therefor and an energy storing and releasingr connection therebetween, said connection consisting of elements carried by said contacter and said operating memberrespectively for movement in planes at right angles to each other and a resilient member to engage said elements. y

16. In an electric switch, in combination, a movable switch contacter, a relatively movable operating member therefor and an energy storing connection therebetween, and releasable restraining means for said contactor comprising (1o-operating parts carried by said contaetor and said operating member respectively for relative movement in planes at right angles to each other.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed' my name. i

CHARLES J. KLEIN. 

